Rune Journeys

Runes, Mythology, Shamanism / Your Myths Made

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Gift Certificate

Upon purchase, a beautifully designed certificate printed on matte recycled paper will be sent to you or to the recipient of your choice. Certificates include a plain white envelope and sealing sticker. They may be redeemed for services at Rune Journeys or put towards classes. A wonderful gift with heart and meaning! Available in increments of $25, simply add the desired quantity to your cart.

[lilacmeadow]

~☾~

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beautiful love 

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Skadi

Skadi. Goddess of my winter heart,

and the cold season of my birth so long ago.…

Lift me from the banks of white

that weigh so heavy on my shoulders.

Take me into the wild with you.

Let us both be taken up by the wind

hair free whipping behind as the horses run fast

Teach me of your ways.

“Let us go hunting,” you urged, with eyes of frost and ice.

“Call the Wind,” you said.

And I bow and say, “Yes, let’s.”

Never, Skadi, do I sit so straight in my saddle as when I am here,

in the mountains,

in the wild;

the depth of the winter

when most lie below ground,

the cold loses its bite

and I can laugh.

© Jenn Poniatowski, Rune Journeys 

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Reposting... because though it is supposed to be Spring, it’s not quite there yet. here.  And it’s good to recall the blessing of the winter mountain goddess. 

[requiem-on-water]

Kalaija Mallery

[runejourneys]

beautiful nature

[runejourneys]

Uplift Your Every Day with Essential Oils: Spring & the Mother Goddess

This week’s “Uplift Your Every Day with Essential Oils” is taking the written format, rather than the usual webinar. View past webinars here. 

Essential oils are extracts from plants, obtained by the processes of steam distillation or cold press. Certified pure essential oils undergo rigorous testing to ensure that the end product is free of contaminants and that the active ingredients are at their peak potency. The essential oils I use in my day to day life are grown around the world in regions where the plants grow best and are harvested by growers at the best time of year. I love that the growers are paid through out the entire year, not just the growing season, that their communities receive support and sustainable practices are used. 

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years, dating back to many of the ancient civilizations we know of, such as those of Egypt, Greece and China. The knowledge has been with us for all these millennia and adds to the joy in sharing and use of single oils and blends. We feel connected to the ancient past, our shared history, by taking advantage of the ancient’s knowledge and wisdom. The ancients used essential oils in all aspects of life, in ceremony, in perfumery, in medicine, and the oils were highly valued as is evidenced by their presence in the tombs of kings. 

Aromatic volatile compounds, essential oils are not oily at all. In fact, they evaporate quickly. You will not feel an oily feeling on your skin at all. They are light and support a lightness of feeling also! When applied topically, essential oils absorb into the skin and enter the cells easily because they are hydrophobic (water avoiding) and lipophilic (fat loving). These properties allow them to enter across the cell wall, which is made up of the phospholipid bilayer. In plants, essential oils are natural pest repellants and protectors. We can take advantage of these same properties when we use them to support tissue distress and occasional feelings of discomfort and stress. Essential oils are used in three main ways, aromatic, topical and internal.

I live on the North Shore, near Boston, Massachusetts. We are seeing the signs of spring every where, though we have had a recent cold snap and snow squall, the robins have returned along with the humpback whales. There is a scent in the air that is infused with life, the awakening soil, and here, by the sea, it is always touched by the salt and on shore breeze. After the dark of winter, the renewal and rebirth of life is a great relief. The feeling is so profound and deep, I think of the ancient mother goddess, Demeter, who spends the winter mourning the loss of her daughter, Persephone, lost to the underworld during the cold months, ever doomed to a half life and only returning in the spring. 

In mythology, Persephone is a young maiden goddess and her mother’s joy. She is abducted by Hades, the ruler of the Underworld with her father Zeus’ knowledge. Demeter is distraught and in her grief and because no one would help her get Persephone back, she refuses to do her part as an earth goddess and nothing can grow. There is no food for the people to eat. At this point, the god Hermes intercedes on her behalf and Zeus finally consents to Persephone’s retrieval. Hermes journeys to the Underworld to get her, but, Hades offers Persephone a bit of pomegranate fruit to sustain her for her journey. She takes it, and in so doing, brings on the consequence of spending half the year (winter) in the Underworld and half the year on Earth with her mother Demeter (spring). 

The emotions and feelings we associate as the periods of daylight grow longer, bulbs grow and bloom, bird song interrupts the silence of the mornings, are hope, joy, renewed sense of purpose. We may experience bursts of creativity after a long period of drought or dormancy. This is all well and good and as it should be. As the ground is frozen over in winter and seeds are dormant, so to go our souls to sleep, “Perchance to dream…” as the poem goes. We have actual spring going on right now, as I said. In myth, Persephone has returned to her mother’s side and Demeter has blessed the Earth and brought about life after death. 

Life after death, a mystery with such far reaching implications, in fact, Persephone’s loss and return is a story that inspired the Eleusinian Mysteries, an ancient celebration. There are the seasons that go around, ever changing, and we experience them within. You may recognize a ‘dark night of the soul’ as a deep descent into your own underworld. Feelings of grief, anger, sadness may take over. Winters of the soul can undo a creative person, who feels blocked, unable to write, paint, or feel inspired by their work. These periods can be as necessary as allowing a farmed field to go fallow for a time. 

In the end, Persephone becomes a great queen in her own right. In taking the fruit from Hades, she acts willingly and transformed from an abducted victim into a woman choosing her own destiny.  

Essential oils are a tool that we can use to support our emotional journey. We can use them to welcome in the actual spring season. If the winter was grim, if it brought us low, and the cold was difficult to bear such that we’re left stuck, unable to crack open the inner seeds of life, we can use essential oils to re-open our sense of possibility. Recall that there are some seeds in nature that require actual FIRE to open up their outer casing. 

Demeter, the Mother Goddess, of the Earth and the growing season….Myrrh is one of my favorite essential oils, it is earthy with a woodsy scent. This oil is of the Mother, and it supports separation from her, easing temporary anxiety. It is a precious essential oil, we know it as a one time gift to the infant divine child. This oil supports self nurturing, trust and bonding that is associated with mothering. Self anoint by placing a drop of myrrh over the heart or brow, to support these feelings. Diffuse into the air to mimic the scent of life growing outside. 

Persephone, the Maiden Goddess, who transitions into womanhood and brings the return of life with her….If you are stuck in a soul winter, consider using peppermint oil, to lift the heart and burn away the heavy, grey, low lying winter sky. It is extracted from the green leaves of the peppermint plant, which has its own mythology, again, involving Hades, who transformed his lover into the Mint (Menthe) plant, so that his jealous wife would not find her, but he would know her from the scent when her leaves were stepped on! You might rub a drop or two into your palms and enjoy gently breathing in the aroma. Place a drop or two over your heart, to self anoint and feel the supportive lifting, the opening of your breath.  

Lemongrass is an essential oil of cleansing and it supports leaving the darkness behind. For many, we associate the Springtime with cleaning and get to work with our spring projects of airing out the home, opening the windows, switching wardrobes and lightening layers. Lemongrass is a perfect component of green cleaning. You might add it to your dish cleanser, add a few drops to baking soda and water to create a paste for cleaning, or add to spring water to create a room air freshener. Lemongrass has a scent that will remind you of Pledge, but you can rest assured that you are only putting a pure plant extract into the air that is effective at supporting a clean environment. Lemongrass to me has a “return of the sun” feel to it, which can be very supportive emotionally, after the dark of winter.

*Note, lemongrass essential oil is not good for cats, so if your family includes felines, you may wish to use it away from them and never put it on a cat. This is a ‘hot’ oil, with a possibility of skin sensitivity, so for topical application, it may be necessary to dilute with fractionated coconut oil or other pure, food grade oil. 

Geranium is a lovely sweet floral essential oil that we associate with feelings of love and trust. When I think of the spring goddess, in her innocence, among the flowers, I intuitively want to reach for geranium. The essential oil makes a wonderful simple perfume. You may add a drop to shampoo to wash those winter doldrums right out. It has wonderful effects for the hair, adding shine, which is always welcome before we can get outside and actually get sun-kissed locks. You can diffuse geranium and get a head start on the blooming of the flowers outside and support your own inner blooming of new creativity and self-love. 

The essential oils I have highlighted today can support our process of rejuvenation and awakening. The mythic story of Demeter and Persephone has a power in its reassurance that spring follows winter, and summer will be welcomed next, so whether we are restoring after the actual winter, or needing to move past a stuck period emotionally, both these inner and outer processes are just that, temporary cycles. Essential oils are tools we can enjoy on all levels of health and to further our wellness. 

With love, 

Jenn

www.rune-journeys.com/mythmaker

Jenn Poniatowski, MA, is a mom, blogger and shaman who loves the earth and ancient mythology with a holy passion. She changed careers when she became a full time mom and loves the ways she finds to weave the inner scientist with the mystic and wise woman within. This is her point of service to you, for the Soul of the World. Click "Myth Maker" above to start your own mythic journey! 

View past webinar’s here. Subscribe to my Vimeo channel to stay in touch with future webinars. 

Write me if you want to know how to obtain the pure essential oils described above. I am more than happy to facilitate the process for you and recommend my favorite educational resources. 

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

[runejourneys]

Uplift Your Every Day with Essential Oils: Spring & the Mother Goddess

This week’s “Uplift Your Every Day with Essential Oils” is taking the written format, rather than the usual webinar. View past webinars here. 

Essential oils are extracts from plants, obtained by the processes of steam distillation or cold press. Certified pure essential oils undergo rigorous testing to ensure that the end product is free of contaminants and that the active ingredients are at their peak potency. The essential oils I use in my day to day life are grown around the world in regions where the plants grow best and are harvested by growers at the best time of year. I love that the growers are paid through out the entire year, not just the growing season, that their communities receive support and sustainable practices are used. 

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years, dating back to many of the ancient civilizations we know of, such as those of Egypt, Greece and China. The knowledge has been with us for all these millennia and adds to the joy in sharing and use of single oils and blends. We feel connected to the ancient past, our shared history, by taking advantage of the ancient’s knowledge and wisdom. The ancients used essential oils in all aspects of life, in ceremony, in perfumery, in medicine, and the oils were highly valued as is evidenced by their presence in the tombs of kings. 

Aromatic volatile compounds, essential oils are not oily at all. In fact, they evaporate quickly. You will not feel an oily feeling on your skin at all. They are light and support a lightness of feeling also! When applied topically, essential oils absorb into the skin and enter the cells easily because they are hydrophobic (water avoiding) and lipophilic (fat loving). These properties allow them to enter across the cell wall, which is made up of the phospholipid bilayer. In plants, essential oils are natural pest repellants and protectors. We can take advantage of these same properties when we use them to support tissue distress and occasional feelings of discomfort and stress. Essential oils are used in three main ways, aromatic, topical and internal.

I live on the North Shore, near Boston, Massachusetts. We are seeing the signs of spring every where, though we have had a recent cold snap and snow squall, the robins have returned along with the humpback whales. There is a scent in the air that is infused with life, the awakening soil, and here, by the sea, it is always touched by the salt and on shore breeze. After the dark of winter, the renewal and rebirth of life is a great relief. The feeling is so profound and deep, I think of the ancient mother goddess, Demeter, who spends the winter mourning the loss of her daughter, Persephone, lost to the underworld during the cold months, ever doomed to a half life and only returning in the spring. 

In mythology, Persephone is a young maiden goddess and her mother’s joy. She is abducted by Hades, the ruler of the Underworld with her father Zeus’ knowledge. Demeter is distraught and in her grief and because no one would help her get Persephone back, she refuses to do her part as an earth goddess and nothing can grow. There is no food for the people to eat. At this point, the god Hermes intercedes on her behalf and Zeus finally consents to Persephone’s retrieval. Hermes journeys to the Underworld to get her, but, Hades offers Persephone a bit of pomegranate fruit to sustain her for her journey. She takes it, and in so doing, brings on the consequence of spending half the year (winter) in the Underworld and half the year on Earth with her mother Demeter (spring). 

The emotions and feelings we associate as the periods of daylight grow longer, bulbs grow and bloom, bird song interrupts the silence of the mornings, are hope, joy, renewed sense of purpose. We may experience bursts of creativity after a long period of drought or dormancy. This is all well and good and as it should be. As the ground is frozen over in winter and seeds are dormant, so to go our souls to sleep, “Perchance to dream…” as the poem goes. We have actual spring going on right now, as I said. In myth, Persephone has returned to her mother’s side and Demeter has blessed the Earth and brought about life after death. 

Life after death, a mystery with such far reaching implications, in fact, Persephone’s loss and return is a story that inspired the Eleusinian Mysteries, an ancient celebration. There are the seasons that go around, ever changing, and we experience them within. You may recognize a ‘dark night of the soul’ as a deep descent into your own underworld. Feelings of grief, anger, sadness may take over. Winters of the soul can undo a creative person, who feels blocked, unable to write, paint, or feel inspired by their work. These periods can be as necessary as allowing a farmed field to go fallow for a time. 

In the end, Persephone becomes a great queen in her own right. In taking the fruit from Hades, she acts willingly and transformed from an abducted victim into a woman choosing her own destiny.  

Essential oils are a tool that we can use to support our emotional journey. We can use them to welcome in the actual spring season. If the winter was grim, if it brought us low, and the cold was difficult to bear such that we’re left stuck, unable to crack open the inner seeds of life, we can use essential oils to re-open our sense of possibility. Recall that there are some seeds in nature that require actual FIRE to open up their outer casing. 

Demeter, the Mother Goddess, of the Earth and the growing season….Myrrh is one of my favorite essential oils, it is earthy with a woodsy scent. This oil is of the Mother, and it supports separation from her, easing temporary anxiety. It is a precious essential oil, we know it as a one time gift to the infant divine child. This oil supports self nurturing, trust and bonding that is associated with mothering. Self anoint by placing a drop of myrrh over the heart or brow, to support these feelings. Diffuse into the air to mimic the scent of life growing outside. 

Persephone, the Maiden Goddess, who transitions into womanhood and brings the return of life with her….If you are stuck in a soul winter, consider using peppermint oil, to lift the heart and burn away the heavy, grey, low lying winter sky. It is extracted from the green leaves of the peppermint plant, which has its own mythology, again, involving Hades, who transformed his lover into the Mint (Menthe) plant, so that his jealous wife would not find her, but he would know her from the scent when her leaves were stepped on! You might rub a drop or two into your palms and enjoy gently breathing in the aroma. Place a drop or two over your heart, to self anoint and feel the supportive lifting, the opening of your breath.  

Lemongrass is an essential oil of cleansing and it supports leaving the darkness behind. For many, we associate the Springtime with cleaning and get to work with our spring projects of airing out the home, opening the windows, switching wardrobes and lightening layers. Lemongrass is a perfect component of green cleaning. You might add it to your dish cleanser, add a few drops to baking soda and water to create a paste for cleaning, or add to spring water to create a room air freshener. Lemongrass has a scent that will remind you of Pledge, but you can rest assured that you are only putting a pure plant extract into the air that is effective at supporting a clean environment. Lemongrass to me has a “return of the sun” feel to it, which can be very supportive emotionally, after the dark of winter.

*Note, lemongrass essential oil is not good for cats, so if your family includes felines, you may wish to use it away from them and never put it on a cat. This is a ‘hot’ oil, with a possibility of skin sensitivity, so for topical application, it may be necessary to dilute with fractionated coconut oil or other pure, food grade oil. 

Geranium is a lovely sweet floral essential oil that we associate with feelings of love and trust. When I think of the spring goddess, in her innocence, among the flowers, I intuitively want to reach for geranium. The essential oil makes a wonderful simple perfume. You may add a drop to shampoo to wash those winter doldrums right out. It has wonderful effects for the hair, adding shine, which is always welcome before we can get outside and actually get sun-kissed locks. You can diffuse geranium and get a head start on the blooming of the flowers outside and support your own inner blooming of new creativity and self-love. 

The essential oils I have highlighted today can support our process of rejuvenation and awakening. The mythic story of Demeter and Persephone has a power in its reassurance that spring follows winter, and summer will be welcomed next, so whether we are restoring after the actual winter, or needing to move past a stuck period emotionally, both these inner and outer processes are just that, temporary cycles. Essential oils are tools we can enjoy on all levels of health and to further our wellness. 

With love, 

Jenn

www.rune-journeys.com/mythmaker

Jenn Poniatowski, MA, is a mom, blogger and shaman who loves the earth and ancient mythology with a holy passion. She changed careers when she became a full time mom and loves the ways she finds to weave the inner scientist with the mystic and wise woman within. This is her point of service to you, for the Soul of the World. Click "Myth Maker" above to start your own mythic journey! 

View past webinar’s here. Subscribe to my Vimeo channel to stay in touch with future webinars. 

Write me if you want to know how to obtain the pure essential oils described above. I am more than happy to facilitate the process for you and recommend my favorite educational resources. 

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

[runejourneys]

I select six to nine runes on your behalf. Click the photo above for full product description. The first three represent your past, present and immediate future: what was, what is becoming, and what shall be. You get a deeper understanding of where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re headed at this moment in time. The next rune is set beneath these three, representing the unconscious realm and hidden motivations. This knowledge helps give you context, focus and adds meaning to your situation. Then we look at your challenge or current task; that which holds you back or represents the biggest obstacle to your truth, or forward momentum. Finally, the outcome rune signifies where you’re going based upon all the runes we have already seen. My readings are designed to empower you to make the best choices for yourself by informing, guiding, and illuminating the way. I like to think of the runes as a set of keys; behind each door there is a story for you and you are free to choose the direction to go. Full one hour readings include three additional “going deeper” runes. For 60 minutes, my fee is $90. You receive nine runes and a PDF photo/summary of your reading. Remember to simply click the photo above for additional information and more about essential oils.

Visit me at www.rune-journeys.com to learn more and schedule a rune reading today!

[runejourneys]

On Dreamwork For Children

"Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night."  -- Sarah Williams, excerpt from her poem, "The Old Astronomer," fourth stanza

It’s not usual for me to be asked if a soul retrieval session can help a child who is experiencing bad dreams, night terrors, or has a fear of the dark so profound that they don’t want to sleep alone. The whole family might have rough nights in these situations because no one is getting enough sleep. Or, the family bed might be too crowded for comfort, and the parent’s upset that they can’t seem to help a distraught child.

Our children are naturally open, trusting and susceptible to energies in their environment that may come from a scary television show, a book they read, or a piece of news that is troubling to them. Sadly, we don’t have to go to far in our current world to find the stuff of which nightmares are made. As parents and caregivers, we do our best to protect them, keep them safe and shielded, but still, that stuff is out there. What can we do, then, to empower ourselves and our precious ones, so that the night is a time of peaceful rest, soothing dreams, and quiet slumber? 

 In a typical format for remote soul work, we would talk by phone or Skype for about an hour, talking about your life or circumstances that you need support with. I can use runes for that hour, to help map things out, either way that first hour is for you, to receive the services of a soul mentor. We hang up, I do a shamanic journey on your behalf, entering an altered state of consciousness by way of listening to drumming or other music track that facilitates deep relaxation. In this state, I’m able to interact with our spirit guides, angels, and dream-like scenes. Unlike a typical dream, however, I’m able to create change in non-ordinary reality that effects your regular waking life in positive ways. An SRE is a specific healing modality that takes us right to the heart or essence level of whatever is needed to create helpful shifts.

Applying this technique to help with nightmares often is very effective. By the time my shamanic teacher helped me, I had been having night terrors my entire life. I never did “grow out of them” as some will tell you happens naturally. I would wake up from a loud roaring in my ears, my entire body in sleep paralysis, and see frightening visions that seemed real. When in the grip of one of these experiences, the brain is dreaming, but the eyes are open and aware. After an episode like this, I’d have to turn all the lights on for the rest of the night and stay awake until too exhuasted for anything else but sleep. The average nightmare for me was vivid, full color and always intense. After the work was done to help me, I never, ever, had another occurence on that fright level which I would rate about a 10. In shamanism, we carry the medicine for what ailments we have cured in ourselves, and so, one of my special interests lies in helping others who are having similar experiences.  

For an adult, the format of a soul retrieval session is like I outlined above.  For a child, we do the work through the parent. For example, I will talk to the mom to discern what exactly is going on. We’ll walk through the bedtime routine, some practical ways we can set up the room to help the child feel safe and protected, and talk about some of the details of what the child is going through. When we have what we need, I’ll hang up, do the journey, and call the mom back to let her know how it went.  I will also send by mail a special bottle of an essential oil blend I make, called “Griffin,” after the mythological protector of what is most precious. One of the ingredients is Myrhh, the Oil of the Mother, which on the emotional level works to support separation anxiety as well as strong maternal love, trust and nurturing. I include a piece of terra cotta seaglass collected from the beach where I live, to act as a natural diffuser of the scent in the child’s bed room. Included, especially for the child, a bottle of “Monster Spray,” which is a blend of oils in pure spring water. With lavender, lemon, and protective blend included, this cleans the room on all levels and is a great tool for the child to use themselves.  

As a former sufferer of nightmares, and a mom myself, my heart is in this work. If you or someone you know might benefit, do contact me with any additional questions and feel free to share this information.  Some ask how this can work “over the phone.” What I do takes place in Non-Ordinary Reality, where anything in ordinary reality can be affected. Because of this, long distance work has repeatedly proven to be as effective as in-person work.  

Lots of love and sweet dreams! 

Jenn

 Jenn offers rune readings and shamanic soul retrieval journeys. She has taught online classes on Norse runes and feels a deep connection to these ancient symbols and their application to our modern mythic journeys or soul paths of today. Jenn is enchanted by ancient mythology and fairy tales, stories whose characters are larger than life and whose themes are timeless and universal. 

© 2015 Jenn Poniatowski

[runejourneys]

Notes From My Journey: Big Tree / World Tree

At approximately 165 years old, the beechnut tree in front of where I live should be around for another century or so. Big Tree, the name we gave affectionately, if not that creatively, towers over the house with a grand magnificence while filling gutters with seeds, leaves and other stuff of which trees are made. Three conjoined trunks open up into a canopy full of chattering birds, their nests, squirrels and more life than I can name or count. I know at times a bird of prey, maybe a hawk, stops by. We've found its left-overs and spotted it way high up in the tree, tearing into something tasty. On one side, the tree’s bark is peeling and the spot has become larger and larger each year.  

My landlord explained to me recently that her landscaper doesn’t think the tree can be saved and hinted it may need to come down. She had wanted the branches pruned back from the house and street. You can see this tree from a mile away, it’s dark, purple-red hued leaves standing out over the neighborhood rooftops.  People stop at the yard to marvel and to look up, as I do every day, into the heights it reaches. I love that one of the brances split somehow and grew in a circle, that I can imagine is a portal or all seeing eye into other worlds. There's a lot of story to tell in a tree!

Yes, I dare say, with a trunk 6’ in circumference, this is a like a World Tree that we know of in mythology, a place both without and within through which all realms are connected and can be traveled to, like mystical Yggdrasil.

Tears pricked my eyes when I heard the news the tree might come down.  Big Tree cannot die, not like this. My child has grown up under that mighty canopy. We've loved and laughed and suffered until we we felt better playing in the shade below. We are kept cool in summer, and even colder in winter, but some things are just worth the temporary discomfort.  Sure, we cannot grow much in the yard, but there are shade loving flowers and plants.  Who needs grass anyway — not us.  Not when we have a presence such as this to lean on, run circles around and sit by.  My daughter holds onto low hanging branches and dances with Big Tree, as I did once, when I was young.  Another tree, another time, but still, the love of nature has been instilled in her, and in part due to our interactions with Big Tree.  

I asked my husband to call his uncle, the tree doctor. He said almost 200 years “is a good run,” but we can help the tree none the less. We were advised to remove all the loose bark to prevent further damage by insects and rot. Water the tree every day because the roots probably seek out about 2000 gallons each day! Finally, he said to feed the tree. Since the rest of the tree is healthy and well, there's no reason to do anything drastic, and many people cause more harm by tarring where bark has peeled away and doing other interventions.  Just let it be. 

I looked across the yard as we talked about this plan.  I saw the branches rustle in the wind.  I could feel the spirit of our great tree, pleased. People like to carve their initials in Beech trees because the bark is soft and the tree cannot heal itself. If you’re lucky enough to know a tree like this, and take your repose beneath it on a day when you’re looking for some peace, or some play, or some connection to processes greater than your human role on our shared grand stage, never take a knife to that bark, but lean into it. Allow your vision to go up into the heights as high as you can see and let the soles of your feet send spirit roots as deep into the ground as you can imagine. A tree such as this is a constant friend, teacher, shelter and witness to life. Imagine all those baby birds fledged from nests built by birds, returning every season to the same place over a hundred years! 

With 160 years, our Big Tree has seen quite a few families come and go through the passing decades. Abraham Lincoln was president when the tree was just a sapling supported by a pole and ropes.  I will count on another 160, or so. I will care for Big Tree as long as I live here, ever grateful for its presence. The loose bark was removed, the tree was fed and watered today and we're happy to care for this sacred tree as much as we've enjoyed it being here.  

Learn more about the wonderful American Beech. 

Jenn offers rune readings and shamanic soul retrieval journeys. She has taught online classes on Norse runes and feels a deep connection to these ancient symbols and their application to our modern mythic journeys or soul paths of today. Jenn is enchanted by the mythology and sagas of the Old Norse and Viking age.

© 2015 Jenn Poniatowski

[runejourneys]

The Rune Thurisaz

Thurisaz: Thurses / Thor 

Meaning: Thurisaz (th, þ ) means “thurses,” who were giants in Norse mythology.  The rune also references the god Thor, known as the god of thunder, or the Thunderer.  Thurses were not intelligent, but would use pure brute strength to accomplish goals.  Thor was invoked and called upon to deal with giants on behalf of the gods in Asgard and was thought of as a protector by regular people, who would wear talismans depicting his hammer, Mjölnir (crusher). Thor is the archetypal warrior, one of might, strength and courage. Giants represent the unawakened forces of chaos, brute force, ignorance and fear. Thurisaz is associated with the blackthorn tree which has wicked thorns but sweet berries, that are best after a frost.  The rune can signify difficulty and chaos, but also, the tool (Thor’s hammer) needed to effectively deal with the trouble.  

Mythology: In one story from Norse mythology, Thor, Loki and a servant encountered the giant, Útgarða-Loki. Once inside the giant’s fortress, all were put to very difficult tests. Given a tankard to drink from and challenged to empty it, Thor finds even he can’t finish it. He comes across a cat and when he tries to pick it up, can only manage to pick up one of its legs from the floor. Finally, in the great hall, he wrestles with an old woman, and grappled with her for a long time before she forces him down to one knee. With each of these, the mighty god of thunder and strength manages to make some headway, but doesn’t quite succeed, or so it seems. The next day, Útgarða-Loki reveals the challenges for the illusions they were— the cat was Jörmungandr (the World, or Midgard Serpent whose body spans the globe, and grasps its own tail). The tankard was connected to the ocean and Thor’s actually drinking managed to lower the sea level. Finally, the Old Woman was the goddess and Jötunn, Elli, old age personified...from whose reach even the gods were not immune. Útgarða-Loki says that he would never have let any of them into his hall had he known how well they would do.  

Excerpt from “The Challenge of Thor” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“I AM the God Thor,

I am the War God,

I am the Thunderer!

Here in my Northland, 

My fastness and fortress, 

Reign I forever!

Here amid icebergs 

Rule I the nations; 

This is my hammer, 

Miölner the mighty; 

Giants and sorcerers 

Cannot withstand it!”

The Mythic Journey:  The myth described above is described in the Prose Edda by Snorri Sturulson.  Unlike other of the stories Snorri told, this one doesn’t have older source material. Today, our ogres and giants are encountered on the heroic “Road of Trials.” These are obstacles that seem huge, unsurmountable and test our metal. In this stage, personal strength, determination, courage are tested and the inner warrior who can help us respond with reason and mental agility is called to action.  In the myth, Thor believed he had failed the challenges when in fact, he'd had an effect on tremendous forces of nature and life -- the World Serpent, the Oceans, aging as part of the human condition. Consider then, that you have the tools to overcome adversity, that you may have come further along than thought.  

Thurisaz is a rune of balance between chaos/giants and order/Thor. The god of Thunder is well loved even today, and many wear amulets in the form of Mjölnir for protection and connection to the personification of the sky god and hero of Asgard. Modern giants may be products of culture, authority and/or society that are in conflict with higher truths. 

Essential Oils:  Oregano, “The Oil of Humility & Non-Attachment,” is a power house essential oil.  Very intense.  This oil is a great encourager that can help a person break away from modern giants in the forms of hurtful relationships, bad jobs, or addictions. When you consider out dated opinions and resistance, oregano can support getting beyond rigid attitudes. It helps with willfulness. This oil may be inhaled aromatically or diluted with fractionated coconut oil and placed on the bottoms of feet.  (note, with any topical application of this oil, it is good to dilute to prevent skin sensitivity)

Thyme, “The Oil of Releasing & Forgiving” is another great oil to help support the process of dealing with one’s own giants.  It helps with anger, rage, hostility, bitterness. This would be a great companion oil to the use of oregano, since Thyme supports the qualities of forgiveness, of healing on the emotional level. Again, suggested applications are the same as Oregano above, and do dilute to prevent skin sensitivity.  

 References:

Longfellow, Henry Wordsworth. "Tales of a Wayside Inn.”  Project Gutenberg, April 24, 2008 [EBook#25153]   http://www.gutenberg.org/files/25153/25153-h/25153-h.htm

Sturlusson, Snorri, “The Prose Edda,” Rasmus B. Anderson translation. Chicago, 1901, Web Archive, eBook released July 31, 2006.

Emotions & Essential Oils: A Modern Resource for Healing, 3rd edition. Enlighten Alternative Healing, LLC, UT 2014 

Note:  Statements about essential oils have not been evaluated by the Federal Drug Administration.  Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.  

© 2015 Jenn Poniatowski

Jenn offers rune readings and soul retrieval journeys. She has taught online classes on Norse runes and feels a deep connection to these ancient symbols and their application to our modern mythic journeys or soul paths of today. Jenn is enchanted by the mythology and sagas of the Old Norse and Viking age.

Listen in!  The “MAGIC OF RUNES,” Archive on Radiant Living Radio hosted byTamara Gerlach. 

Subscribe for updates, Enjoy runes, shamanic work, and story telling to guide & inspire

Visit & click ‘Contact me’ to learn more about how essential oils can work for you. 

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Norse Runes, A Reference Guide

This guide is perfect if your rune set did not come with a book or guide. If you are an experienced rune reader, it is a wonderful quick reference, giving you just the keys you need to access your own intuitive information.  On the front, you will find the Elder Futhark runic alphabet arranged in a circular format.  This illustrates the Norse runes as a Way, or path, to continual refinement of the soul and spirit. On page two, you find the rune,  what letter/sound it is associated with, the literal and symbolic meanings, and also associated Norse mythology.  Upon purchase, you will receive a link that is valid for 24 hours.  

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Uplift Your Every Day with Essential Oils

I am hosting a free webinar on Friday, July 3rd, 2015, the first of a monthly class with rotating topics on using essential oils to uplift and support your physical and emotional wellbeing, for you, your family and your home.  I love starting up these classes because sharing how the "life blood of plants" can work for others is a natural extension of what I bring to the world in the tradition of the "medicine woman" of old.  You can read more about this fascinating tradition of the ancient Norse here!  

Call in for learning that is fun, uplifting, and enjoy stimulating conversation about a fascinating topic, one that I love: Essential Oils! 

I am a mom first and foremost, and in caring so much for my family and home, I have experienced very easy ways to use essential oils to support our health and well-being. I love having these oils, the life blood of plants, on hand as needed for the everyday bumps and bruises, physical and emotional. If you would like to learn how to bring these into your own life, to benefit you and your loved ones, this call is definitely for you. This is simple, empowering knowledge that feeds the soul in a deeply meaningful way. 

We will cover: What essential oils are and what makes them so alive and effective. The everyday physical and emotional benefits we get from using them.  How they are “nature’s own medicine cabinet,” being pure, CPTG oils. 

Enjoy hearing the wisdom from my dear friend, author, soul care practitioner and fellow mom, Dolores Andrew Gavin. In fact, Dolores is an expert at serving the emotional needs of our children through her story telling and knowledge of the essential oils. I will be glad to share about the ways the oils have changed my life, especially my beloved Peppermint, the Oil of the Buoyant Heart! 

The call will be in a conversational format with plenty of time for your questions. Please bring some to ask and also think about any areas of concern you might have. We can help guide you to the best solution for your needs. Everyone is welcome. The call is free and we will have a fun giveaway for one person on the call!

This class will be offered each month, on “First Fridays”: July 3rd August 7th September 4th

Once you register for the class, please contact me if you need further details.   To register, visit our event on Facebook and click "GOING" for the RSVP.  We will post the phone number and code to join in very soon! 

 I love ancient things, like the runes & mythology I write and share about, and so when I had the chance to learn about essential oils, whose use is thousands of years old, it was an instant connection that I am passionate about sharing! These beautiful “gifts of the Earth” are so wonderful at what they do. You'll love learning how to complement and facilitate full body wellness and increased joy in your home. 

With love, Jenn

 Jenn offers personal rune readings and soul retrieval journeys by phone or Skype. She teaches online classes on runes and feels a deep connection to these ancient symbols and their application to our modern mythic journeys or soul paths of today.  Jenn is a dōTerra Independent Wellness Advocate who is passionate about the wonderful and helpful effects that come from using essential oils.  Visit the “Myth Maker” link to learn more about her services or write [email protected] and she’ll get right back to you. 

Listen to the “MAGIC OF RUNES,” my interview hosted by Tamara Gerlach on Radiant Living Radio. 

Visit my dōTerra if you'd like to scan through the available oils.  If you’d like to know about their use or yearly membership, I am more than happy to share that information. 

Disclaimer: Remember that statements about essential oils have not been evaluated by the US FDA, and should not replace any medical treatment you may be undergoing or require.  

©2015 Jenn Poniatowski

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The Rune Sowilo: the Sun, Vital Energy

Meaning: Sowilo means ‘Sun,’ and is the last rune of the 2nd grouping of eight runes. The rune signals a sense of completion, feelings of success or victory; the power of the archetypal solar energy.  We see this in the rune itself, carved as a bolt of light (like lightening).  For those familiar with the Tarot, Sowilo and the Sun card of the major arcana are similar.   

The sun represents principles of action, will and doing, being exposed to its warmth and light. This counteracts the forces of the rune Isa (ice), that came before.  The rune corresponds to the Solar Plexus chakra, which is your seat of power and is a golden yellow in color.  Self-esteem, will power, confidence, going forth purposefully are all relevant attributes.  Self assurance from victory or success comes naturally.  

Mythology: In Norse mythology, the sun is a feminine power and is personified as the goddess Sunna.  She drives a chariot pulled by magical horses across the sky, carrying the Sun.  The horses have saddle bags that cool them so they are not burned.  At World’s End, during the events of Ragnarök, it’s said that Sunna (and the Sun) will be swallowed by a great wolf, but, her daughter will live on and shine even brighter.  

Your Mythic Journey: Sowilo signals energy, a time of warmth, bright light, and beauty.  For every journey, there are moments when we’re energized, when it feels like the sun is shining, and we’re out and seen in the world.  Often Sowilo is associated with a victorious feeling, a sense of having ‘won’ or being on top of the world.  On the mythic journey, this is a time of ascent, returning to the light after experiencing the challenges. On the Winter Solstice, the shortest period of daylight we have in the year in the Northern Hemisphere, we celebrate the return of the light, knowing every day there after will be a little bit longer.  Sowilo bestows a sense of purpose and activation.  

Essential Oils:  Lemon for its support of self confidence, joy and a soul filled with energy. Wild Orange for its support of a lifted mood, increased energy, feelings of abundance.  Melissa (lemon balm), the Oil of Light, I love this oil for Sowilo, for we can really feel that bolt of energy, the light being turned on in an intense way. 

You might place a drop or two of these oils into your hands and breathe in the essence, apply to your solar plexus to increase feelings of confidence and success, of the sun shining brightly, filling up your soul.  A drop in a glass of water is another way to experience this, drinking in the beautiful sunlight captured in the essence of these sacred oils.  Hold the image of the rune in your mind as you work with the oils to activate the warmth and light of the sun.  (precaution, if you have Melissa Essential Oil, you’ll want to dilute it with Fractionated Coconut oil for any skin sensitivity)

 Jenn offers personal rune readings and soul retrieval journeys by phone or Skype. She teaches online classes on runes and feels a deep connection to these ancient symbols and their application to our modern mythic journeys or soul paths of today.  Jenn is a dōTerra Independent Wellness Advocate who is passionate about the wonderful and helpful effects that come from using essential oils.  Visit the “Myth Maker” link to learn more about her services or write [email protected] and she’ll get right back to you. 

Listen to the “MAGIC OF RUNES,” my interview hosted by Tamara Gerlach on Radiant Living Radio. 

Subscribe for updates, Enjoy runes, shamanic work, and story telling to guide & inspire.

Visit my dōTerra & click ‘Contact me’ to learn more about how essential oils can work for you.  If you’d like to know more, I am more than happy to share some of my story. 

Disclaimer: The above is for your information only, and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe treatment for any illness, nor replace any advice from a medical physician you may be undergoing or require.  Read full disclaimer here.  

©2015 Jenn Poniatowski

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Gebo: Gifting With Meaning; Generosity & Hospitality

The rune Gebo means gift and represents an offering that creates connection or solidifies a bond of loyalty and friendship. The two crossed lines also signal oath making, promises made and the honor of one’s word.  Gebo may refer to marriage, in which rings are exchanged in the context of a ritual that binds the two people together, the closed circle symbolizing love and partnering that is unending.  In the Viking age, gift giving was done in order to declare loyalty and increase social status and prestige (1). 

Those who dwelled in Asgard, the great, walled city of the gods, had many wonderful, magical items in their possession.  Thor wielded Mjölnir, and to do so he also wore a pair of special guantlet gloves.  Freya’s twin brother Freyr owned Skidbladnir, a ship that could fold up and fit in his pocket.  Important to the meaning of the rune Gebo, Odin possessed Draupnir.  It was a pair of golden rings, most likely arm bands, that were made by dwarves.  Draupnir multiplied itself, dripping eight new rings every nine days.  In this object, Odin modeled the giving of gifts, in bestowing these rings, none could equal him (2).   

In the Hávamál, (Sayings of the High One), Odin says, “it is better not to ask than overpledge, as a gift demands a gift. (3)”  This refers to the energetics of gift exchange.  In sharing of wedding rings, for example, there is an understanding of equality in the partnership.  When Odin bestowed rings of Draupnir, this was an act of power sharing.  For the kings and rulers of the ancients, gifts established bonds of loyalty and displayed status.  Gebo today may signal a new partnership, whether of love or business.  There may be an opportunity to sign a legally binding document, an act that ‘seals the deal.’  Additionally, there are instructions in the Hávamál regarding generosity and hospitality towards travelers and guests. There was an expectation that guests would be taken care of, within the means of the  homeowner, and that they would return the favor in the form of gifts.  

2. 

Hail, ye Givers! a guest is come; 

say! where shall he sit within? 

Much pressed is he who fain on the hearth 

would seek for warmth and weal.

3. 

He hath need of fire, who now is come, 

numbed with cold to the knee; 

food and clothing the wanderer craves 

who has fared o'er the rimy fell.

4. 

He craves for water, who comes for refreshment, 

drying and friendly bidding, 

marks of good will, fair fame if 'tis won, 

and welcome once and again.

You can think of Gebo as a rune of giving of oneself or one’s goods to benefit another, and of giving your word in terms of your personal honor and integrity.  The “X” then signifies accumulated merit.  A person who resonates with this rune may be in position to find their own gifts that are meant to be shared with the world.  A good rune of give and take, offering and receiving, and building relationships through these exchanges.  

References:

Sheehan, John.  Viking Raiding, Gift Exchange, and Insular Metalwork in Norway.  Koninkligke Bill NV, 2013, pp. 809-823.

Hedeager, Lotte.  Iron Age Myth & Materiality: An Archeology of Scandinavia AD 100-1000.  Routledge, 2011.  p. 12. 

Brey, Olive (translator), The Hávamál, Sayings of the High One.  The Poetic Edda, Viking Club 1908, pp. 61-111. 

Jenn offers rune readings and soul retrieval journeys. She has taught online classes on runes and feels a deep connection to these ancient symbols and their application to our modern mythic journeys or soul paths of today.

Exciting ways to connect: 

Listen in!  Upcoming interview, the “Magic of Runes,” on Radiant Living Radio hosted by Tamara Gerlach 6/10/2015, 1PM EST

Subscribe for updates, Enjoy runes, shamanic work, and story telling to guide & inspire.

Visit & click ‘Contact me’ to learn more about how essential oils can work for you

©2015 Jenn Poniatowski

[runejourneys]

Notes From My Journey: On Retreat With Essential Oils

I recently had the great opportunity to partake in a week long retreat at the beach for “Blending Traditions,” a workshop that brought together shamanic teachings, the priestess path, and the purity of essential oils to support wellness in body and spirit. The facilitators are favorite people of mine, Robin Rice & Tamara Gerlach, wise, beautiful teachers who worked seamlessly together to create six days of scent infused bliss.  The ingredients for the week —twelve dō Terra oils, the perfect amount of off time, solitude, fellowship, food prepared with love, intention and infused with the oils.   My favorite part of the week, tied maybe with soaking up the sky in the rooftop jacuzzi, was the work of making a personal vision blend. 

It is important to know that “oil” is a misnomer.  We worked with therapeutic grade pure  essential oils, extracted by distillation or cold press from the plants, their flowers, leaves and fruits which are farmed around the world and cultivated at just the right time to create maximum potency.  I went into this retreat with a good deal of stress, maybe even some depression, the emotional remnants of a historically hard, cold, winter.  In the fairy tale story of the Snow Queen, the child has a piece of ice shard in his heart, he begins to lose himself, and it’s the love of his friend that saves him.  The love of my friends and contact with the oils finally melted that shard in me and wow, the spring feels good!

I used three essential oils, white fir, clarysage and ylang ylang to create “Myth Maker,” a blend that activates my vision of my greater work in the world. White fir to support connection to the ancestors, clarysage to make the vision clear, and ylang ylang to support generation and creation of new life. When I imagine mystical Yggdrasil, the Norse world tree that bridges the ways between heavens and earth, the concept of blending a lower, middle and upper worlds note becomes so clear.  I came home altered in all good ways.  My vision is lifted, daily life challenges are manageable, and I can’t wait to get more oils into my life and work.  They are alive and are a natural extension of what I already do and weave so perfectly into my love for the world.

Exciting ways to connect: 

Subscribe for updates, Enjoy runes, shamanic work, and story telling to guide & inspire.

Listen!  My upcoming interview, the “Magic of Runes,” on Radiant Living Radio hosted by Tamara Gerlach  6/10/2015, 1PM EST

Visit my retail store & click ‘Contact me’ to learn more about essential oils and wellness.   

Jenn offers rune readings and soul retrieval journeys. She has taught online classes on runes and feels a deep connection to these ancient symbols and their application to our modern mythic journeys or soul paths of today.

[runejourneys]

New website!  I hope you’ll enjoy. Runes, Norse mythology, story telling... www.rune-journeys.com

[runejourneys]

Ancient Symbols Modern Myths Begin Your Journey

My new website!